Atlas V Assembly Begins for Boeing’s Starliner Crew Flight Test in April
The world of spaceflight is abuzz with activity as various companies and agencies prepare for upcoming launches and missions. This week, three leading US launch companies were active at Cape Canaveral, the world’s busiest spaceport. SpaceX successfully launched another Falcon 9 rocket, Blue Origin raised a New Glenn rocket on its launch pad for ground testing, and United Launch Alliance began assembling an Atlas V rocket for the first crew launch of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in April.
Astroscale’s ADRAS-J mission: Approaching space junk
Astroscale, a Japanese startup, has launched a small satellite called ADRAS-J on a mission to approach and inspect a defunct upper stage of a Japanese H-IIA rocket that has been orbiting Earth for over 15 years. This is the first satellite designed to approach and inspect space junk in orbit, and it is a public-private partnership between Astroscale and the Japanese space agency. The satellite will take pictures and perform maneuvers to move around the uncontrolled rocket, paving the way for future missions to remove space debris.
Firefly launch malfunction blamed on software error
Firefly Aerospace released an update on an investigation into an upper-stage malfunction on its Alpha rocket that occurred in December. The investigation team determined that a software error in the rocket’s guidance, navigation, and control software algorithm caused the rocket to release its payload into a lower-than-planned orbit. Despite this setback, the rocket successfully released its commercial satellite payload, achieving many of the mission’s objectives. Firefly is preparing for the next Alpha rocket launch in the coming months.
Gilmour Space raises funds for launch vehicle startup
Australian startup Gilmour Space Technologies has raised AU$55 million ($36 million) in a Series D funding round to support its campaign to manufacture, test, and launch rockets and satellites from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland. Gilmour Space is developing a three-stage rocket called Eris, which is expected to launch the first Australian-built rocket into orbit later this year. The funding round follows a previous round of $46 million in 2021 and will allow the company to mount four test flights.
Japan’s H3 rocket reaches orbit
Japan’s new H3 rocket successfully completed its second test flight, reaching an on-target orbit and releasing two small satellites. This success is an important milestone for the H3 rocket, which is expected to power most of Japan’s space program’s missions into orbit over the next decade. The H3 rocket is a replacement for Japan’s retired H-IIA and H-IIB rockets and aims to compete for commercial launch contracts on the global marketplace. However, commercial uptake for the H3 lags behind other major rockets like SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Atlas V assembly begins for Starliner launch
United Launch Alliance has started assembling an Atlas V rocket for the first crew launch of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The Crew Flight Test is scheduled for mid-April and will carry NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station for a mission lasting up to two weeks. This will be the first human launch on an Atlas V rocket and the 100th flight of an Atlas V overall. ULA plans to retire the Atlas V in the coming years, with the Vulcan rocket taking its place.
First flight-ready Ariane 6 rocket arrives in Kourou
The core and second stages of the first Ariane 6 rocket have arrived at its launch site in French Guiana. The cargo ship Canopée transported the stages from ArianeGroup factories in France and Germany. Integration of the various components of the rocket will now begin, with final preparations for launch expected to be completed by June. The maiden flight of Ariane 6 will mark an important milestone for Europe’s launch capabilities.
Indian rocket completes human-rating milestone
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has completed human-rating of the CE20 cryogenic upper-stage engine, a critical component of the LVM3 rocket. This engine will be used to insert the Gaganyaan spacecraft with astronauts into low-Earth orbit. ISRO conducted a series of ground qualification tests to ensure the engine meets stringent human-rating standards. The first crew test flight of Gaganyaan is targeted for 2025.
The Bahamas as a destination for space enthusiasts
The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism has signed an agreement with SpaceX to enable Falcon 9 booster landings on a drone ship within Bahamian territorial waters. This agreement positions the Bahamas as a global destination for witnessing booster landings, offering exclusive visibility of rocket landings from various Bahamian islands. The tourism ministry believes this will attract space enthusiasts and provide a unique experience for tourists.
Blue Origin emerges as leading contender to buy ULA
Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, has emerged as the sole finalist to buy United Launch Alliance (ULA), according to sources. U
